Humanism

Definition

Humanism is an intellectual movement that emerged during the Renaissance, emphasizing the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively. It focused on the study of classical texts, the importance of human potential and achievements, and the belief in reason and science over superstition and religious dogma. This movement profoundly influenced literature, art, philosophy, and education during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Humanism was largely influenced by the rediscovery of classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome, which inspired thinkers to emphasize human experience and rationality.
2. Major figures in humanism include Petrarch, Erasmus, and Thomas More, who contributed significantly to literature and philosophy during the Renaissance.
3. Humanism shifted the focus of education towards the humanities—subjects like literature, history, philosophy, and languages—promoting critical thinking and individual potential.
4. This movement encouraged a more secular approach to knowledge, reducing the dominance of religious explanations in favor of empirical observation and reasoning.
5. In literature, humanism led to a greater emphasis on character development, individual emotion, and moral complexity in works from poets and playwrights like Shakespeare.

Review Questions

• How did humanism influence the themes present in Renaissance poetry?
  • Humanism significantly influenced Renaissance poetry by encouraging poets to focus on human experience, emotion, and individual perspective. This shift led to themes that celebrated love, nature, beauty, and personal reflection. Poets began to draw inspiration from classical texts, incorporating ideas from ancient Greece and Rome that emphasized humanity's potential and accomplishments, which is evident in works by major figures like Shakespeare and Spenser.
• Discuss the stylistic features of Renaissance poetry that reflect humanist ideals.
  • Renaissance poetry often showcases stylistic features such as vivid imagery, complex metaphors, and an exploration of personal emotions—all reflecting humanist ideals. Poets employed structured forms like sonnets while simultaneously experimenting with language to convey individual thoughts and feelings. This emphasis on formality combined with emotional depth illustrates how poets embraced humanism's focus on personal expression and the richness of human experience.
• Evaluate the role of humanism in shaping Enlightenment literature's approach to reason and individual rights.
  • Humanism played a crucial role in shaping Enlightenment literature by laying the groundwork for ideas centered around reason, individual rights, and social progress. Thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau were heavily influenced by humanist principles that valued critical thinking over tradition. This focus on human agency contributed to political philosophies advocating for democracy and personal freedoms, marking a significant evolution from the spiritual preoccupations of earlier periods toward a more rational worldview.

Related terms

Renaissance: A cultural movement that marked the transition from the Middle Ages to Modernity, characterized by a renewed interest in classical art, literature, and learning.

Classical Antiquity: The period of ancient Greek and Roman history that served as a foundation for humanist thought, with a focus on texts, philosophies, and artistic achievements from these civilizations.

Secularism: A principle of separating religion from civic affairs and government, promoting a focus on human values and concerns rather than spiritual matters.